Conditions for accessibility mean everything to the physically disabled, I know.
People, like me, who have disabilities, think differently, not so much politics or having opinions, rather how they think when living life. What does it mean?
While I can still walk, just, I’ll often judge simple things in a pragmatic way of assessing distance and difficulty vs the outcome. Making a coffee becomes a test of finding the shortest route to the kettle, there being no obstacles in the way, zero trip risks and even making one trip to the fridge for milk rather than two. The risk of a fall far outweighs any risk. This may sound strange but its a fact. Risk assessment takes on a whole new dimension.
Walking into restaurant means finding the clearest route to the table, no sliding between chairs. Does the restaurant have accessible facilities? Are there suitable chairs? Is there an easy route to the bathroom? Are there any hands on places to touch on the way the make sure of movement adjustments?
I am talking about physical disabilities, not mind functions, physical limitations often have to experience and process the world in unique ways to avoid problems. And its constant.
Navigating around places made for able bodied folks is a planning session. But! I am sure that brings problem-solving skills and creative thinking like no other.
Imagine being on holiday, a trip to the beach becomes an outing. In my case the route was downhill (always a no no for me), once there, the pebble entrance is a nightmare of balance, and then the tide is out so a marathon for a simple paddle.
The solution is planning, having a disabled scooter delivered got me to the beach. Careful balance holding a help hand (my wife’s) eventually found the sand. Then the walking stick assisted (with helping hands again) to get to the gently lapping waters. Bliss. Of course anyone else would have been, swam, paddled, walked and returned for a cocktail in a fraction of the time.
Years ago, the invalid carriage was the only option for transport, nowadays there is Motability, thankfully. An abused system in my opinion but I am forever grateful for mine. My blue badge helps no end (another abused system), someone needs to sort out the issues.
While there are many examples of how I am constantly thinking differently, this may give you an insight of the continuous. I think this is a really important reason that if you seek help with arranging something involving someone with disabilities, use a Company that knows how to think.
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